Science Resources

The National Science Teachers Association strongly believes that parents can and should play an integral part in their child’s science education. Listed below are websites that parents can use to find out more about science education and engage their children in fun, simple science experiments and activities.

The One-Inch Square Project from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute will nurture students' investigative skills at home. The project is simple, nearly cost-free, and can be repeated again and again in varied situations.

The David Suzuki Foundation provides a printer-friendly list of the top 10 things kids can do at home to help the environment (with adult supervision, of course).

Kids can grow restless during the summer, so CyberCamp, a virtual-reality summer camp part of the 4-H Youth Development Plan, is a web-based learning environment for kids ages 8–12. Through online activities in a safe zone, campers learn about ecosystems, health and safety, and more. Only parents, guardians, and caregivers can register campers.

Watch pandas at The National Zoo and Appaloosa horses play at the Saddlebrook Appaloosas Ranch with free critter cams, available from Animal Planet.

The U.S. Department of Education provides age-appropriate activities for students to do at home (with adult supervision, of course). Many incorporate solids and liquids, and they are available in Spanish for bilingual households.

At the MyPyramid.gov website parents will find health-related activities designed specifically for children ages 6–11, including tips for healthy eating and physical fitness, links to a free miniposter and coloring page, and an interactive computer game that helps children learn about healthy food choices.

At the "Why Is the Sky Blue?" web page families they can learn about light and find fun, easy activities to do with students at home.

Looking for good science books? NSTA partners with The Children's Book Council to select a list of the year's best science trade books and breaks it down by topic and grade level. For a trusted source of teacher-approved literature, see the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12: 2008.

Weather is not always our friend, and students are often more interested in the bad than the good. To help them make sense of tornadoes, check out this tornado activity.

At the Dictionary of Units of Measure find out everything you need to know about units of measures, especially where balancing and weighing are concerned.

Sandia National Laboratories has put together a collection of one-page science activities appropriate for elementary-age children to try at home.

The National Geographic Society has a fun and informative GeoBee Challenge that post 10 online questions every day from the National Geographic Bee. Visitors to the site can play as often as they like, and there is a brand-new quiz every day.

Turn art into a valuable science experience with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies Annual Art Contest for children in grades 2–4. Visit the IGES website for more information.

Children often take their bodies for granted, and their thumbs are no exception. But opposable thumbs are a part of the human body upon which we rely every day—to eat, write, and even greet each other with a handshake. Click here to read Thumbs Are Handy Digits.

Harness the power of the Sun and learn how to cook with solar power. Step-by-step directions and pictures are included.

Explore the water cycle at home with the miniature terrarium activity at “Water for Life.”

Children will soar to new levels with this flying activity titled “Flying Together.”

Additional Resources

Created to provide all parents with clear and practical advice, active participation tools, and solid math and science resources for helping their children learn.

CSTA Parent Science Handbook

Designed to help parents instill a love of science in their children, this handbook provides ideas and resources to ensure your child's success in learning how the natural world works.Download a free copy.

An engaging and educational booklet packed with in-home science activities parents can do with their children. This unique resource helps parents answer their children's most-asked question: "Why?" Download the English versionUna copia en español

Sid is a new educational animated television series using comedy to promote exploration, discovery and science readiness. The energetic and inquisitive Sid starts each episode with a new question ("Why are my shoes shrinking?" "Why do bananas get mushy?") and embarks on a fun-filled day of finding answers with the help of family and friends.